The American Salvage Association

What The American Salvage Association does

The American Salvage Association (ASA) is a private, non-profit trade association headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, that serves as the unifying representative body for the commercial marine salvage industry across North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. Founded to professionalize U.S. marine salvage and firefighting response, ASA operates as a membership-based community with three paid tiers: General Members ($8,253 annual dues), Corporate Associate Members ($2,940), and Individual Associate Members ($588), alongside Affiliate Members. Its current membership includes approximately 7 General Members, 41 Corporate Associates, 8 Individual Associates, and 4 Affiliate organizations spanning salvage operators, diving companies, towing firms, environmental associations, and international bodies such as the International Salvage Union and C-PORT.

ASA's product portfolio centers on member services rather than technology: networking events, an Annual General Meeting, the quarterly Soundings magazine distributed to 3,000 print and 120,000+ digital subscribers, downloadable standard contract forms (BIMCO, Lloyd's Open Form, SCOPIC, Salvhire, Salvcon), USCG National Strike Force training, the Marine Science Scholarship Competition co-presented with NAMEPA, the Future Salvors student program, and seven working committees covering Training, Education, Regulatory Affairs, Latin American outreach, Membership, Marketing & Communications, and Past Presidents. The go-to-market motion is community-led: membership drives business development through collegial bonds and reciprocal referrals among members, with industry events and the magazine serving as the primary engagement channels. Revenue is generated almost entirely from recurring annual membership dues supplemented by event and program activity; financials are not publicly disclosed. Governance is provided by a Board of Officers and Executive Committee, with Mike Dean serving as Executive Director (appointed January 2024), Elias Psyllos (T&T Salvage) as President, and a staff including CFO Lee Hill and Director of Operations Katie Hill.

Name

The American Salvage Association

Legal name

The American Salvage Association

Website

https://americansalvage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The American Salvage Association is a non-profit trade association headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, representing the commercial marine salvage industry across the Americas and Caribbean through tiered membership, networking events, training, and the Soundings quarterly magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Trade Association Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Towage & Rescue (Refloating, Grounding Response) (IMAJANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Firefighting & Casualty Stabilization (Marine Fire, De-watering) (IMAJANAG), Salvage Engineering, Surveying & Claims Support (IMAJANAH)

Keywords

• Marine salvage association
• Wreck removal operations
• Maritime casualty response
• Salvor professional networking
• Marine firefighting industry

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from General Members ($8,253), Corporate Associate Members ($2,940), and Individual Associate Members ($588) form the primary revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The American Salvage Association is a non-profit trade association that unifies professional marine salvors and supporting maritime industry companies across the Americas and Caribbean. It delivers value through tiered membership programs (General, Corporate Associate, Individual Associate), the quarterly Soundings magazine, training courses for the U.S. Coast Guard, downloadable standard contract forms (BIMCO, Lloyd's Open Form, SCOPIC), industry advocacy with regulatory authorities, and programs such as the Marine Science Scholarship Competition and Future Salvors Program.

Product overview

The American Salvage Association is a professional industry association serving as a unifying force within the marine salvage industry across the Americas and Caribbean. The organization offers a portfolio of membership programs at three tiers (General Member, Corporate Associate Member, Individual Associate Member) that provide networking, business development, and access to industry expertise. Core offerings include Soundings Magazine (a quarterly publication reaching 120,000+ industry leaders), training programs for the U.S. Coast Guard and industry conferences, standard contract forms (BIMCO, Lloyd's, SCOPIC), the Marine Science Scholarship Competition with NAMEPA, the Future Salvors Program for student sponsorship, and the Annual General Meeting. The association operates through multiple committees including Training, Education, Regulatory Affairs, Latin American, Membership, Marketing & Communications, and Past Presidents, supporting professional development and industry advancement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASA Membership - General Member Full membership tier for professional salvors and wreck removal operators, priced at $8,253 annually, including networking, committee participation, access to standard contract forms, regulatory representation, and industry leadership opportunities.
• ASA Membership - Corporate Associate Member Supporting membership tier for companies in the maritime salvage industry, priced at $2,940 annually, including networking access, committee participation, and member resources.
• ASA Membership - Individual Associate Member Individual professional membership tier priced at $588 annually, providing access to industry networking and resources for individual professionals supporting the maritime salvage industry.
• Soundings Magazine Official quarterly magazine of the American Salvage Association, circulated to members and industry leaders in print and digital format, featuring industry news, event information, and member updates. Distributed to over 120,000 digital subscribers and 3,000 print subscribers.
• Standard Contract Forms Library Downloadable standard contract templates available to members, including BIMCO contracts (Bargehire, Towcon, Towhire, Wreckfixed, Wreckhire, Wreckstage), Lloyd's Open Form, SCOPIC Clause, Salvhire, and Salvcon documents.
• Training Committee Programs Marine casualty response courses and seminars delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force and at select industry conferences, conducted by senior salvage industry executives and salvage masters.
• Marine Science Scholarship Competition Annual scholarship competition for high school and undergraduate students co-presented with NAMEPA, awarding funds for projects focusing on marine sciences, salvage, and environmental protection. The 13th annual competition is scheduled for 2026.
• Future Salvors Program Sponsorship award program for students interested in marine salvage careers, providing complimentary registration to ASA's Annual General Meeting in New Orleans, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and travel credit, in partnership with the International WorkBoat Show.
• Annual General Meeting Annual industry meeting providing members opportunities to learn about current industry issues and trends while networking with other industry professionals, typically held concurrently with the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans.
• Latin American Committee Programs Initiatives and member networking events focused on growth and cooperation with Latin American countries for pollution control and wreck removal operations, including regional events such as the July 2026 Member Networking Event in Panama Canal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership allows companies to build lasting relationships with fellow industry leaders during annual and informal meetings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026ASA and NAMEPA co-present the Annual Marine Science Scholarship Competition for High School & Undergraduate Students. The 13th annual competition in 2026 awards scholarship funds to students pursuing marine sciences and maritime careers. Winners receive travel and accommodation to NAMEPA's Annual Conference & Awards Dinner in New York.
• Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerADCI is an affiliate member of ASA. The organizations have collaborated on joint events, including a first-time joint event in Panama in 2018 and a collaborative partnership announced in October 2025 to enhance commercial diving and marine salvage cooperation.
• C-PORTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerC-PORT is an affiliate member of the ASA, representing maritime industry interests and providing networking and collaboration opportunities.
• International Salvage Union (ISU)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerISU is an affiliate member of the ASA, representing the international salvage industry and supporting cooperation between salvors worldwide.
• NAMS (National Association of Maritime Salvage)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNAMS is listed as an affiliated organization with membership activity, supporting the maritime salvage industry network.
• OMSA (Offshore Marine Service Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOMSA is listed as an affiliated organization with membership activity, representing offshore marine service providers.
• SCAA (Salvage Association of Adjusters)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSCAA is listed as an affiliated organization with membership activity, supporting the salvage adjusting community.
• Panama Canal Authority (ACP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Panama Canal Authority participates in ASA regional events, including presentations at the July 2026 Member Networking Event in Panama Canal. ASA collaborates with ACP on industry matters affecting the maritime industry in the region.
• Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and DivingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerU.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving participates in ASA events and industry presentations, supporting cooperation between military and commercial salvage capabilities.
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerASA maintains regular dialogue with federal agencies including USCG, exchanging views on the improvement of salvage and firefighting response. ASA provides training courses to USCG National Strike Force members and state/local authorities.
• International WorkBoat ShowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerASA partners with the International WorkBoat Show for the Future Salvors Program, where award recipients receive complimentary registration to attend the conference and expo concurrently with ASA's Annual General Meeting in New Orleans.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Society of Maritime Industries (SMI): SMI is the U.K. trade association for the maritime sector covering shipbuilding, equipment, and marine services. SMI parallels ASA's association-of-marine-industry-firms model but operates in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA): NMMA is the leading U.S. trade association for the recreational boating industry. NMMA operates at much greater scale and serves the broader marine manufacturing base, providing a benchmark for ASA's potential evolution as a maritime industry convener.
• American Waterways Operators (AWO): AWO is the national trade association for the U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry. AWO serves a vessel-operating constituency adjacent to ASA's salvor base and offers a comparable model of regulatory advocacy and standards development.

Emerging players

• InterManager: InterManager is the international trade association for ship managers and operators. While focused on vessel management rather than salvage, InterManager parallels ASA's structure of representing operational firms within a specific maritime niche.
• Salvage Association of Adjusters (SCAA): SCAA is the professional association for marine claims adjusters working on salvage and wreck removal losses. Already affiliated with ASA, SCAA serves an adjacent stakeholder community critical to salvage contracts and tendering.

Direct peers

• International Salvage Union (ISU): ISU is the global trade association for the marine salvage industry, representing salvors worldwide on standards, training, and international regulation. Already an ASA affiliate member, ISU is the most direct global counterpart to ASA's regional mission.
• C-PORT: C-PORT is a maritime industry association representing port and harbor interests in the United States. As an ASA affiliate, C-PORT provides complementary industry representation and shares ASA's Washington, D.C. advocacy posture.
• North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA): NAMEPA is a marine environmental protection industry association focused on sustainability and education. As ASA's core partner on the Marine Science Scholarship Competition, NAMEPA parallels ASA's nonprofit, advocacy-driven association model within an adjacent maritime niche.
• Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI): ADCI is the international trade association for the commercial diving industry, closely tied to marine salvage operations. ADCI and ASA share member companies, conduct joint events, and announced a formal collaborative partnership in October 2025.
• Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA): OMSA represents offshore marine service providers operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. As an affiliated organization of ASA, OMSA serves an overlapping constituency of marine operators and shares similar trade-association functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The American Salvage Association